This trek has been, one of the most favorite trek among trekkers for a long time because of Beautiful Valley of Markha, small villages, shepherds camps and passes are main feature of this trek. The trek begins from Chilling village passing through Gandala Pass, which takes you across Markha valley. At last it crosses Kongmaru Pass and finishes wonderful trek at the famous Hemis monastery.
Itinerary
On arrival at airport pick up and transfer to the hotel. Full day free and rest for complete day for acclimatization. In the evening visit to visit to Shanti Stupa, Leh palace & Market. Stay overnight in Leh.
After Breakfast visit to leh Sightseeing, Magnetic Hill, Sangam, Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace after leh local market. Overnight stay in Hotel.
Stay in Homestay. Walk from chilling to Skyu village about 3 hours walk and night stay in Skyu village in homestay with local family.
En route there is an abundance of willow thickets and poplars where ancient mani walls and chortens line the trail and barren cliffs rise high above the valley.
Overnight stay in Homestay.
The trail continues through a series of willow and gorse thickets to a bridge over the Markha River. Trekking along the Markha River we get stunning views of the valley below. We will cross the river at and reach Markha (3800m). Markha is the largest village in the valley, consisting of around 20 houses, an old monastery and a ruined fort.
The Markha valley trail continues passed old stone-mills, a ruined castle and the auspicious monastery of Techa, which is proudly perched upon a cliff that looms above Markha. The path then intersects the river several times before cutting through the last hamlets in the valley. After leaving the village of Umlung, we will be afforded our first view of mighty Mt. Kang Yatse (6400m), which will stay in sight until we cross Kongmaru La. After we break for lunch in the village of Hangkar (the last one in the valley), we will continue onward to the lovely green pasture of Thachungste (4100m), Overnight stay in Tent.
After breakfast we will follow a trail which leads us up to the beautiful plateau of Nimaling, where the people of the Markha Valley bring their herds to graze during the summer months. At 4700m, Nimaling is the highest camp (4600m) on the trek, giving us spectacular views of the huge peak of Kang Yatse to the right.
Kongmaru La is the highest point of the trek. Enjoyed a lot with light snowfall. Reached Chogdo in afternoon and enjoyed homestay with delicious ladakhi food.
We will cross Kongmaru La (5200m), the highest pass on the trek, and from there we will have a wonderful view of the Indus Valley and Ladakh Range. The descent is quite steep, but will gradually level out as we enter Shang Gorge, with its fascinating rock formations. More river crossings bar our way before we arrive at the sour-spring of Chuskurmo (used in traditional medicine by the Amchi doctors).
After Breakfast drop to the Airport.
